State Administrators and Points of Contact

Communicating with BJA

The administrator’s tab features a means for AHP to convey your questions and comments to BJA Policy Advisors Tim Jeffries and LaShawn Benton. BJA leadership will continue to work with technical assistance providers at Advocates for Human Potential (AHP) to collect your frequently asked questions and respond to the field. Just click here and let BJA know your comments or concerns.

Samples of Solicitations States Use to Award RSAT Sub-Awards

AHP technical assistance providers have begun collecting sample RSAT applications developed by state administrators as examples of how to distribute RSAT funding to programs utilizing evidence-based practices. Newly transitioning administrators should particularly benefit from reviewing these sample applications submitted by other state administrators.

Thanks to various RSAT state agencies, AHP has gathered sample solicitations from five states showcasing proposals from community agencies/state programs interested in receiving RSAT sub-awards. While their applications include boilerplate language from BJA, each state has its own unique approach to sub-awarding RSAT funds and identifying RSAT sub-grantees. We hope that other RSAT state liaisons will find this of interest.

Colleen Stoner from California (colleen.stoner@bscc.ca.gov; 916-324-9385) reports that staff in her agency has also been certified in the Correctional Programs Checklist with the University of Cincinnati. This has provided them with the ability to audit a department or project to determine the extent to which they are using effective correctional practices that are correlated with a reduction in recidivism (i.e. evidence-based practices). Click here to view their sample RFP.

Judy Switzer from Texas (jswitzer@governor.state.tx.us; 512-463-7879) notes that applications are received without a promised funding level until after the total amount of BJA funding for that fiscal year is available. Since there are usually insufficient RSAT funds, they normally move a percentage of the applications to JAG for funding. Texas also requires applicants to specify what evidence-based programs they are using. Click here to view their sample RFP.

Stephanie Arnold from Virginia (stephanie.arnold@dcjs.virginia.gov; 804-371-0531) states their solicitation stresses that jails must be willing to work with their local community-based providers to provide aftercare, substance abuse treatment, and if needed mental health services. Another unique component is that the agency posts a link to the required performance measures in the RFP so applicants know to identify and include risk/need assessments information in their applications. It is Ms. Arnold’s experience that the concept of risk/need assessments may be new to applicants and this forces them to choose a specific assessment tool prior to starting their program. Click here to view their sample RFP.

Earl Long from Washington (earl.long@dshs.wa.gov; 360-725-9985) notes that their state’s example is from an application submitted in 2010. Applicants were given priority if they could show new or expanded partnerships with community-based substance abuse treatment programs and aftercare services, have programs that work closely with local or regional drug courts, and made use of “best practices.” Click here to view their sample RFP.

Melissa Darby from Ohio (mbdarby@dps.state.oh.us; 614-728-8740) says her state’s RFP mandates that applicant projects must provide aftercare services. These services must involve coordination between the correctional treatment program and other social service and rehabilitation programs, such as education and job training, parole supervision, halfway houses, self-help, and peer group programs. In addition, applicants need to provide a detailed discussion on their plan to implement a model that is evidence-based or grounded in best practices of the field. Click here to view their sample RFP.

RSAT state liaison’s contact information is included in case you have any questions. All five liaisons will be happy to talk with other State Agency POCs regarding their state’s solicitation process.

What the Latest RSAT Performance Measures Are Telling Us About RSAT

As you know, states are required to report performance measure data to BJA each quarter. Periodically, BJA analyzes the data for the three sets of RSAT sub-grantees: state (prison and juvenile), county, and aftercare programs. BJA will provide states with the latest feedback based on these reports, which you can use to enhance RSAT programming in your state or territory. Click here for the latest performance data update.

Other Links of Interest to State Administrators

In addition, please find links to other RSAT TTA activities or products that you may find of particular assistance. These links will also be updated periodically to keep you abreast of news you can use.

PODCASTS: Evidence-Based Practices
The following three webinars captured in these podcasts detail the fundamental principles for evidence-based practices and what is necessary for RSAT programs to successfully incorporate evidence-based programming.

Virtual Tour of a County RSAT Program
For new administrators, this provides a virtual tour of a model county RSAT program and the roles played by treatment providers, jail administrators, correctional officers, as well as community agencies responsible for aftercare.

Voices of RSAT
This provides a series of interviews with RSAT inmates and graduates on what the program means to them, the ultimate consumers of RSAT programs. Although it features inmates from a specific county RSAT program, what they say about RSAT applies to programs around the country and the essential role they play in turning around the lives of drug-addicted inmates.

Model RSAT Program Manual
This manual supplements the virtual tour video and further describes the essential elements of successful RSAT programming.

“What’s New?”
The “What’s New” section on the home page is updated regularly. Currently, the successful lawsuit against a California aftercare program may be of interest to you. A California inmate who was incarcerated for his failure to attend a faith-based treatment program sued and won $2 million. The State of California will pay $1 million, while Westcare, the company that ran the RSAT aftercare program, will pay $925,000 under the terms of the settlement.

“Healthcare Coverage”
Also, check out the new tab, “Healthcare Coverage,” that includes information of interest to Medicaid expansion states and non-Medicaid expansion states, including how correctional departments can save millions of dollars a year using Medicaid coverage for prison and jail inmates who are inpatients in non-correctional medical facilities for at least 24 hours.

This Web site is funded through a grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse the Web site (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided).